On the Road - The Life of a Hobo

JupiterKid

Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

The Backwards Man

I've always envied this guy's lifestyle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT9mS074hns

Bipolar Joe

Yes, but not here in Ireland. The weather is shit and we can't do wicked awesome stuff like live on a transcontinental freight train for a month. I'd move to the U.S just to be a hobo.

Hownowcow

I often thought that it might be fun to fight orcs.

Legs.Eleven

Yes. I've though about it many times. The idea really appeals but perhaps it's been romanticised in novels and films too much. Where could you realistically do it? Would you stay in Ireland? Go around Europe? You'd need more than just English to get a job. Maybe you could do it in the States. I have to say, the idea sounds ideal to me. I've moved around so much that I usually get bored of a place after a while and have the need to move on.

Legs.Eleven

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I've always envied this guy's lifestyle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT9mS074hns

But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.

Schnitzel Muncher

The homeless don't know how good they have it, eh OP?

I regularly think I have heard it all, but am always proved wrong. Thanks for the laugh anyway.

Schnitzel Muncher

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.

There are online forums for that sort of thing, a couple of recent cases in Ireland spring to mind.

So as long as he can type he's well in there.

The Backwards Man

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.

Exactly, I'd be a lot better off than I am now.:pac:

coolemon

The Irish version of a hobo is called a Rapparee. Hobo's with fighting spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Uj_Nf5tOg

Iv lived what could be called a semi-hobo lifestyle for about 1 1/2 months while cyclotouring. Sleeping rough, not having a place to shower, washing in rivers/the sea. "taking off into the sun" each day.

Then again I had money for food, but probably close enough in many ways.

Odysseus

Have a chat with any of the homeless guys in any of our cities, you might find out your idea is not as sound as you first thought. I don't know where would be a good place to be homeless, but from working with homeless people here, I would not like to try the Irish experience.

Fukuyama

OP I think Kerouac glorified his experiences a little.

The moving coming out soon won't do any favours...

Anyways - it's not the depression anymore. You cant just jump onto trains etc... Even to book tickets you'll need technology.

Doesn't stop you from selling all your stuff and doing it though.

Read the Man v Debt blog.

My name is URL

There was a post on Reddit a few days ago with great pics of railroad hobos. I don't think I'd be cut out for it myself

http://www.mbart.com/exhibitions/_101/_img/

^^Some pics NSFW

JupiterKid

I think the definition of what a hobo actually is nears to be made here - hobos travel to do a variety of casual/menial jobs. A hobo will always try to find work if they need money - begging is seen as an absolute last resort. That distinguishes them from tramps who travel but are work shy and bums who are homeless but don't travel and suffer addiction problems - both of whom beg.

Hobos also try to arrange some form of rudimentary lodging or accommodation if they are in position to afford it - a hostel for instance. Hobos only sleep rough when there is no alternative.

Hobos also have a code of ethics and conduct - for instance try to wash as often as possible, be polite and only steal food when absolutely necessary as a last resort. You might also be surprised to find that hobos have developed a code of symbols to guide and help fellow hobos.

In Britt, Iowa there is an Annual Hobo Convention held every year. Hobo numbers peaked with the Great Depression in the 1930s but today there are still tens of thousands of self-declared hobos.

The key philosophy of hobo life is self-reliance and complete independence and not hanging around in one place because they're "onto a good thing."

Blues is believed to have originated among Black hobos of the late 19th century - many of whom were freed slaves. Hobos also had a big input into folk and country music.

coolemon

Are bindles fictional or are they actually used?

It seems like an efficient way of transporting items while walking. Carrying something by ones side would cause arm strain over a prolonged period of time. A backpack/bag might cause sweat irritation on the back.

Resting the weight using a stick on on shoulder, and occasionally changing shoulder, seems like an interesting solution. Its a wonder its not more widespread...

I can envisage it: Lidl Bindle with soft cusion grip and waterproof fabric - E3.99

orestes

Schnitzel Muncher wrote: »

The homeless don't know how good they have it, eh OP?

I regularly think I have heard it all, but am always proved wrong. Thanks for the laugh anyway.

Some people do choose to be homeless because they like the freedom that comes with it. Some people just like the idea of living free and not being tied down, it's not that different to moving from city to city and living in squats and there are sh!t loads of people who do that.

I've been broke and homeless in a different country before, wouldn't fancy doing it again, but I can definitely see why some people would see the appeal in it as a lifestyle. Squatting can be fukking awesome though.

beano345

lived in a car for a month....then it was stolen on me....fun times:pac:

Herb Powell

Ireland is probably too small tbh. And I think people are really suspicious of strangers now. Definitely wouldn't be easy.

NegativeCreep

As if boardsies could live without internet for even an hour!

No, I couldn't think of anything worse than being homeless :L

JupiterKid

Bindles were real objects - but hobos these days are more likely to use small rucksacks.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA1XUQvbZ8o/TWQgUPJ55RI/AAAAAAAAAFY/C3XJnTEAdyE/s1600/hobo.jpg

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FFA/18N3/FQMXFDE4/FFA18N3FQMXFDE4.LARGE.jpg


Link on how to make your own bindle:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-Bindle/

stretchdoe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLtLVNNXlbU

Mardy Bum

My name is URL wrote: »

There was a post on Reddit a few days ago with great pics of railroad hobos. I don't think I'd be cut out for it myself

http://www.mbart.com/exhibitions/_101/_img/

^^Some pics NSFW

Horribly depressing lifestyle and I feel sorry for the kids getting dragged round by parents who seem to have taken On the Road too seriously.

JupiterKid

Not all humans want to settle - some people are naturally wanderers and drifters. I do think that when it comes to children they need stability and routine and you don't get that with a hobo/nomadic life.

But the appeal of hitting the road is very strong among many people.

Billy Joel - You're My Home (1973)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATQ5ays9t1I

Mardy Bum

JupiterKid wrote: »

Not all humans want to settle - some people are naturally wanderers and drifters. I do think that when it comes to children they need stability and routine and you don't get that with a hobo/nomadic life.

But the appeal of hitting the road is very strong among many people.

Billy Joel - You're My Home (1973)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATQ5ays9t1I

Yes of course and its called travelling/ emigration. Millions of people do it However this Chris Candlemess idea of travellng around with just the clothes on your back and a pen knife is stupid. Learn a few skills and then travel the world.

Mr Benevolent

JupiterKid wrote: »

Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.

JupiterKid

Mr Benevolent wrote: »

Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.

I have indeed read it - I have read of most of Orwell's published work.

Less of the personal insults about my "tiny" brain - I hold a First class Masters degree BTW. Nothing wrong with me starting a thread on the topic and culture of hobos - last I checked it is a free country.:rolleyes:

This is what pisses me off most about AH - the negativity, begrudgery and the need to get personally insulting.:(

SEPT 23 1989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdtPkqb6zo8

wendell borton

The story of Chris mccandles who gave all his money to oxfam and lived as a hobo, while inspiring in some respects, doesn't end well.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless

The Barefoot Pizza Thief

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfPYVVNgVw

Augmerson

Anyone mentioned Fortycoats yet?

scoey

JupiterKid wrote: »

Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

No.

hardCopy

Mr Benevolent wrote: »

Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.

Homelessness != Being a Hobo

Hobos are itinerant labourers, they're even unionised.

WilyCoyote

Mr Benevolent wrote: »

Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.

George Orwell suffered from a plethora of mental problems. And depression shaped his views in the book you quote. Am not even sure if he was alive today would he celebrate Wigan's massive result.

endacl

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

Yes. I've though about it many times. The idea really appeals but perhaps it's been romanticised in novels and films too much. Where could you realistically do it? Would you stay in Ireland? Go around Europe? You'd need more than just English to get a job. Maybe you could do it in the States. I have to say, the idea sounds ideal to me. I've moved around so much that I usually get bored of a place after a while and have the need to move on.

You'd be a hobo. Having any job would cancel your hobo status.

JupiterKid

endacl wrote: »

You'd be a hobo. Having any job would cancel your hobo status.

What this thread shows is that most people seem to be very ignorant of what a hobo actually is.

Herb Powell

Vice, which usually has some fairly silly articles, had an excellent article on Hobos

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/death-of-the-american-hobo-0012987-v19n10

TheBellJar

This guy hasn't done too badly for himself.

Plumpynutt

Cool documentary about Hobo's in the US

120_Minutes

Wouldnt Dr. Who qualify as the best hobo ever? He travels around doing odd jobs, its just those jobs usually mean saving the earth and he travels through space/time.

zef

One thing about most US hobos, they knew what was right and wrong and tried to get casual work to keep themselves going between stops.
They had the hobo code, which I think is pretty cool.
It was a hobo sign language of markings and drawings indicating if the person in that say, farmhouse was a hobo-friendly type. "Get out fast" "police officer lives here, not kind to tramps" would be helpful info o a person trying to orient themselves in a strange town.
Other info contained incl- town locals attitudes to hobos, locations of important places in town, 'doctor, no fee', or a man of god who would give a sermon or get ya to attend mass before your dinner.
They were typically drawn with chalk onto telegraph poles and then billboard signs when they came out.
Much of it has been lost, but a list of signs and phrases can be found on wiki.

I saw recently that a new 'scumbag code' has been emerging in Dublin with house robberies "rich couple live here" but I think it was scaremongering. Not really Irish style, either.

wendell borton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSlXZHrnRSQ

Duckworth_Luas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfj2mxuVtuA

Grayson

JupiterKid wrote: »

Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

It's tempting alright. But could you imagine me begging for odd jobs and getting pain in 1/2 an hour of internet access so I can reply to threads on boards? It'd never work.

Poxyshamrock

Since when do Irish people use the word 'Hobo'?

Duckworth_Luas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqowmHgxVJQ

zef

@ poxyshamrock- to me 'hobo' is a term to describe the guys who spent time travelling the US by railways or whatever means an seeking casual work & digs at stops.
'Homeless' or 'off the grid' (for those with more rescources) would be the present Irish terms for people here who choose or are unfortunate enough to not have a place to settle in, no?

P.s - saw a great film recently about this guy, Christopher McCandless, aka American Supertramp. From a very middle class upbringing and with a college degree, McCandless headed out on a journey as a hobo without telling his family, who were extremely concerned for his safety. I guess he felt that society didn't suit him. It dosen't suit some people , and sometimes I don't blame them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless

mawk

I think op wants to be a traveller..

Firefox11

The Hulk was a great Hobo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWgE0EVQ9c

JupiterKid

And here is an example of the Hobo code, symbols that hoboes would leave for one another to help their fellow hoboes.

Link:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCiRAR0W2-A/TW19949NnKI/AAAAAAAAA0g/5Q8-Euvv8I4/s1600/signs.jpg

johnr1

Couple of years back when I lost my business, and having previously split from my marriage, i considered it.
Eventually I took the harder decision to stay, to pay the fcukin mortgage somehow, to start again for the third or fourth time....
If not for having met the current missus, I'd probably be out there somewhere non english speaking, using my skills to earn a crust as I went.

I'd not write it off just yet as a retirement project.

donegal_road

I used to know a couple of American conscription jumpers in Canada, they landed there shortly after they were told they were being sent to Iraq. They pretty much lived the life of hobos, working for cash in hand as landscape gardeners and painter & decorators. The plan was to punch in the time until they could apply for citizenship. They were free spirits in every sense, happy with their situation and choices they made etc.